How to Protect Yourself With a Restraining Order in Colorado
Aug. 31, 2020
While technology has made it easier to stay connected to the people you love, it also opens you up to unwanted contact. With social media, texting, and chat apps, an abuser or stalker can get information on their victims, use fake profiles to sidestep blocks, and otherwise violate a victim’s privacy. If you’re at risk of harm, getting a restraining order in Colorado could give you some peace and protection.
What is a Protective Order?
In Colorado, protective orders aim to prevent defendants from harassing, intimidating, tampering with, or retaliating against the other named parties in the order. A basic order without any additional conditions or stipulations may allow defendants to remain in contact with the protected person.
How Judges Protect Victims With Additional Conditions
It’s crucial to convey your wishes and concerns to your domestic violence attorney in Colorado. Judges can place additional restrictions in a restraining order to keep victims safe. Your attorney can advocate on your behalf and present evidence to the judge that demonstrates the need for a more restrictive restraining order. Judges may forbid defendants from contacting the named party, the victim’s children, and their family members. A judge can also require that a defendant stay away from specific locations, including the victim’s home and workplace. The goal of the court is to prevent victims from future harm, so don’t be afraid to ask for conditions that make you feel safe.
Staying Safe With a Protective Order
After a judge awards a restraining order, it’s important to know exactly what the order says. This ensures that you know when the other party oversteps their bounds and violates the order. If the named party violates the restraining order, you must immediately notify your attorney. While some victims feel that this is excessive, failing to notify the court or your attorney may send the message to the other party that their behavior is acceptable. This may limit the effectiveness of the restraining order and lead to increased contact.
If the defendant tries to contact you in any way, attempts to circumvent the order by reaching out to your family members or friends, or otherwise indicates that they don’t plan on honoring the order, let your attorney know.
You should also note that the protective order is the will of the judge. This means that you can’t decide to write off certain parts of the order or ignore restrictions. Even if you say that contact is okay, a person who goes against the specific wording of the restraining order is still in violation of the order. If some provisions become unnecessary, you can contact the judge and ask for a revision of the order. Your attorney can also help you with this.
Let Us Help You Get the Protection You Need
When a situation escalates to the point of needing a restraining order, it’s important to turn to an expert you can trust. Get a free consultation by contacting Kinnaird Law.